A week (or so) ago, I mentioned Microsoft’s searchable digital equity maps. They track how people are access the Microsoft resources and combine that with demographic data from various sources. In the past I have used Office of Broadband Development data to rank counties by broadband availability. The equity ranking looks more at who is using the broadband available and what roadblocks might be in a given county to encourage more users. I am going to be using this data to dive into each county but for now I’m look at the whole state and ranking of:

• Counties with the lowest percentage of adults (25+) without a high school degree
• Counties with the lowest percentage of homes without a computer
• Counties with lowest percentage households not using broadband
• Counties by lowest percentage of non-users based on broadband speeds

Side notes: the maps are built on census tracts and each census tract is assigned a digital inequity index value. In other words, you can track which part of your county scores lowest (which is a good thing) in inequity and which is highest but those ranking aren’t available by county. That’s helpful when you’re on the frontlines. The map to the right shows the Digital Equity Index – the darker the color, the better an area (census track) is doing with Digital Equity. Also – the Microsoft maps has other demographics you can sort by (poverty level, disability status, income…) to help you dig into your assets and challenges.

People talk about digital equity like a three-legged stool. You need affordable access to broadband, a device and the skills to use them. The tables below might help you determine which of the three legs need attention in your county.

• Low high school degree rate? Maybe need training or to partner with workforce training and the schools?
• Low computer ownership? Look for a partner to distribute low cost computers. Or give classes on how to buy a computer.
• Low broadband use? Maybe you need better availability. (Previous rankings might help confirm lack of access.) Or maybe it’s an affordability issue. Then you might connect residents with info on the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Counties with the lowest percentage of adults (25+) without a high school degree

Counties with the lowest percentage of homes without a computer

Counties with lowest percentage households not using broadband

Counties by lowest percentage of non-users based on broadband speeds